♦ TIMES: Pit at noon, Gate at 1 p.m., First race at 3 p.m.

♦ CLASSES: Mini-Sprints, A-Mods, X-Mods, Street Stocks, Cruisers, Hornets

♦ TICKETS: $15 adults, $10 ages 10-16, under 10 free, $25 pits, $5 discount coupons at NAPA stores and NAPA Car Care centers.

♦ HIGHLIGHTS: The only afternoon session planned this summer will be the first oval race of the 2012 season, and with six classes of running, a full day of racing opens the season. The dirt oval is starting its second year and has been improved and changed over the winter. Changes since last year include a new track sponsor, new management team, and the additions of an area for vendors, a “Kidz Zone,” beer sales and entertainment. A long list of promotions are planned. The Street Stock and Hornet classes have been renamed from last year. Four 2011 champions will be back to defend their titles: Todd Budlong (A-Mods), Andy Jenson Jr. (X-Mods), Rick Bolter (Street Stocks) and Daysha Bolter (Cruisers).

♦ DIRECTIONS: From the Big I, go west on I-40 to the top of Nine Mile Hill. Turn south over the bridge and take an immediate right. Go west on the southside frontage road to the first stop sign and turn left onto Shelley Road. www.napaspeedway.com
— This article appeared on page D5 of the Albuquerque Journal